Volume 9 - Electric Scotland

60 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
REVIEWS.
THE HISTORY OF THE EUROPEAN FAUNA. By R. F. Scharff.
This is a reproduction in book form of a paper which appeared
not
" very long ago in the Proceedings of the Royal Irish
Academy" (3rd Ser. vol. iv., 1897), and which has now been
altered so as to suit its present more popular form. It is an
example of modern methods of attacking the problems of the
geographical distribution of life upon our globe methods which
certainly compare very favourably with those which are to be found
in some other recent but only professedly up-to-date publications.
In the space at our disposal it is impossible to give the book anything
like the review it deserves. We may, however, point out that
the author's object is to split the members of the European fauna
and flora into their various component groups, whose birthplaces he
then traces to other parts of the world, and in addition indicates the
probable paths by which they advanced to their present habitat.
The British Isles are taken as a sort of convenient index area to
Europe, so that no British naturalist, whether or no he agrees with
Dr. Scharff, can afford to ignore his work. In fact, Dr. Scharff's
book must prove a most valuable work of reference even to the
bitterest opponents of his theories. Absolutely free from errors no
one could expect
it to be ;
but it is, without doubt, a most straightforward
and conscientious attempt to grapple with some of the most
interesting problems which a naturalist has to face, and which will
undoubtedly help the advance and influence the direction, in its
of the study of the Geographical Distribution
widest and best sense,
of Animals. G. E. H. B. H.
AN ILLUSTRATED MANUAL OF BRITISH BIRDS. By Howard
Saunders, F.L.S., F.Z.S., etc. Second Edition, revised. :
(London
Gurney and Jackson, 1899.)
The chief ornithological event of the year which has just closed
has been the completion of the new edition of Saunders's " Manual."
The first edition was issued in 1889, and by sheer excellence,
coupled with utility, it
deservedly took a first place among
books on British birds ;
and thus a very large edition (several
thousands of copies) was sold in less than a decade very practical
appreciation of an excellent book. However good the first edition
of this work may have been, and was, this second edition is immeasurably
superior in every respect. It has been revised with
the most painstaking care, is
up to date in all respects, and has
been enriched with no less than twenty new and acceptable illustrations
some of new British species, while others replace not very
satisfactory portraits. Such a well-known and highly appreciated
work needs no recommendation at our hands, but we desire to offer
Mr. Saunders our most hearty congratulations on the completion of